Forest Fire Creates Health Concerns
Forest Fire Creates Health Concerns
5 November 2008
published by www.wkyt.com
USA — More than ten fires over the last two days are keeping rangers in the Kentucky River Forestry District very busy. The largest burned 1,000 acres along Highway 30 at Jetts Creek, near the Breathitt – Owsley County line. Smoke from that fire is also creating health concerns.
Nita Wolford relies on this oxygen machine to stay alive. She says the past couple of days, thick smoke from the forest fire is making things worse.
“You can’t breathe anyway on your own without the oxygen. It’s pretty scary when something like that happens because it’s like somebody is putting their hand over your mouth,” said Wolford.
She deals with heart and lung problems. The smoke was so thick on Tuesday, Wolford says it forced her to go to the doctor. It even bothered her grandaughter’s asthma.
“She’s only 10-years-old so you can imagine how it affects other people that have problems,” added Wolford.
The division of forestry says the fire is contained, but as it burns itself out over the next few days, people in the area will still have to deal with the smoke problem.
Forestry officials say arson fires cost more than just money, they put lives and homes in danger. They are asking people to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.
